Tech & Auto
Why VW’s Air-Cooled Engines Were Such A Special Invention
By ALEX HEVESY
For decades, the massively popular Volkswagen Type-1 Beetle and the Type-2 VW Microbus or Transporter were powered by a unique air-cooled boxer engine.
The Volkswagen air-cooled engine is remembered amongst owners for being reliable, easy to maintain, and numerous, as VW made tens of millions of the engine.
According to Autoweek, the mid-1960s models featured a 1.2-liter boxer four-cylinder that produced 40 horsepower. However, VW made several other displacements over the years.
The engine was located in the car’s rear and had no radiator. It was designed so air flowed over the engine and kept it relatively cool while driving.